Another SMRT student, Theary Monh, and I have started research in Ajahn Kate's chemistry lab at Chiang Mai University (CMU). We are going to be using photography and color quantification techniques in order to identify compounds (probably proteins) in solutions. The members of my lab showed us an animation and a slideshow about how the absorbance and transmittance of color works.
For example, a ripe banana absorbs wavelengths related to all colors but yellow. Therefore, we perceive the banana as yellow because that is the only color it did not absorb. We are going to be applying this basic knowledge to more complex experiments throughout the remainder of our time at CMU.
Our experiments incorporate multiple types of technology. We will be using our cell phones to photograph solutions that have a range of color intensities. We will then analyze the colors using an RGB identifier on our computers. By analyzing the intensity of the color, we can determine the concentration of the solution. This technique is brand new and is considered revolutionary. It can be applied in the lab, but would be especially useful in the field, where no spectrophotometer is available.
By using an indicator that turns a protein-rich solution a very intense color and turns a protein-poor solution a less intense color, the same technique can be applied. Multiple solutions could potentially be photographed and analyzed for protein concentrations based on their color intensity.
Here is a photo of the solutions we made, photographed, and analyzed to determine the concentration of dye in each solution. We did this experiment to practice the new technique and we will be applying it to proteins soon. In the coming weeks, I hope to become an expert!
Love from Thailand,
Brenna Biggs
For example, a ripe banana absorbs wavelengths related to all colors but yellow. Therefore, we perceive the banana as yellow because that is the only color it did not absorb. We are going to be applying this basic knowledge to more complex experiments throughout the remainder of our time at CMU.
Our experiments incorporate multiple types of technology. We will be using our cell phones to photograph solutions that have a range of color intensities. We will then analyze the colors using an RGB identifier on our computers. By analyzing the intensity of the color, we can determine the concentration of the solution. This technique is brand new and is considered revolutionary. It can be applied in the lab, but would be especially useful in the field, where no spectrophotometer is available.
By using an indicator that turns a protein-rich solution a very intense color and turns a protein-poor solution a less intense color, the same technique can be applied. Multiple solutions could potentially be photographed and analyzed for protein concentrations based on their color intensity.
Here is a photo of the solutions we made, photographed, and analyzed to determine the concentration of dye in each solution. We did this experiment to practice the new technique and we will be applying it to proteins soon. In the coming weeks, I hope to become an expert!
Love from Thailand,
Brenna Biggs